There is currently only one CNM (certified nurse midwife) with hospital privileges who chooses to practice in Lexington, KY and she only delivers babies at one Lexington hospital. Many OB practices do not offer the services of midwives* because they claim there is no demand. This is not true. Many women assume that they do not have the option to birth or receive other care under the care of a midwife* because their OBGYN office does not employ one. The option will be there if we let our voices be heard.
Please sign this petition stating that either:
a.) You would opt for the care of a midwife* if there was one available at your doctor's practice.
b.) You support the right for women to have the option of choosing a midwife's* care.
c.) You are a midwife/aspiring midwife* who has not been able to find a job due to the supposed lack of demand.
This completed petition will be distributed to Lexington area hospitals, Lexington OBGYN offices, and any Lexington family practices with the ability to provide maternity care.
* When referring to a "midwife" this petition is only referring to certified nurse midwives (CNMs) who assist births in hospitals. Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) and Direct-Entry Midwives (DEMs) are midwives that deliver the majority of babies at home or in birth centers and it would take a separate initiative to petition for their legal rights. Lexington women have the option to independently hire a CPM or DEM. However, some women choose to give birth in a hospital setting and this petition aims to help create more midwifery options for those women.
